With Remembrance Sunday approaching, three stars of West Ham United's past, present and future were given a very special opportunity this month to visit the factory in Richmond-upon-Thames where the Remembrance wreaths commemorating the nation's fallen are made.
Since 1922, The Poppy Factory has provided secure and supportive employment for hundreds of veterans, many with physical disabilities or mental health conditions resulting from their service. As well as its historic role making individual poppies, the charity produces around 100,000 wreaths each year, including the special wreaths laid at the Cenotaph by the Royal Family on Remembrance Sunday.
While many famous figures have toured The Poppy Factory in the past hundred years, including four visits over a span of six decades by Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, no football club has previously visited the factory to see the work that goes into making these poignant tributes, and thank the staff for their service.
So, it was a great honour for West Ham United to pay our respects to the history and ongoing work of the Poppy Factory, with a delegation led by Hammers legend Sir Trevor Brooking, accompanied by current first team star Ben Johnson, and Academy scholar Ollie Scarles.
The three West Ham representatives were shown around the factory by armed forces veteran and Irons fan, Alex Conway, chatted with the production team and even had a chance to try their hands at making a poppy themselves.
Of the experience, men’s first team player Ben Johnson said: “When they told us we would have to make poppies with one hand, I thought it was just to give us an extra challenge, but then when they explained the history and how the First World War veterans had to learn to make them that way, it really brings home the sacrifice that they made, and why these moments of Remembrance matter so much.
“I will always think about that now when I wear the poppy or see these wreaths at the London Stadium, not just about the care that goes into making them, but all the tradition that it represents.”
West Ham Academy Scholar Ollie Scarles added: “I’m turning 18 in December, I think for me it’s important to realise that during the war, people of my age would be going off to fight with the West Ham Battalion or getting called up to play my part in the Second World War.
“That is what those generations had to do so we could live the lives we have today, and that is why it's so important for people of my generation to remember the hard times that they had to go through and the sacrifices they had to make, and to pay our respects to them all on Remembrance Day.”
Finally, the trio helped manufacture the three wreaths that will be hung at the London Stadium in November to commemorate all those lost in conflict at home and around the world, and in particular to remember the First World War service of the heroic West Ham Pals Battalion.
Sir Trevor Brooking said: “It was a real privilege to visit The Poppy Factory and see the poppies and wreaths being made, and to appreciate all the effort and craftsmanship that contributes to these moments when our nation comes together each year.
“For a number of years now, I've had the great honour to be part of the annual Remembrance commemorations at West Ham United, first at the Boleyn Ground and now at the London Stadium. And there is always something very special about our fans paying tribute to the young men of the West Ham Pals Battalion, and all the other men and women who've served in our armed forces.
“I will be very proud to see the wreaths we've helped make unveiled at the Pals' memorial, and I'm very proud to be part of this great tradition in our country which says to all those who fought for our freedom that - however much time passes - we will ensure that their service and their sacrifice is never forgotten”.
Amanda Shepard, Chief Executive of The Poppy Factory, said: “It was such a privilege for us to welcome three generations of West Ham players and for our team to have the opportunity to meet Sir Trevor, Ben and Ollie.
"All three players were really engaged in the unique story of our veteran community and keen to hear how our charity is helping veterans and their families into all kinds of employment today.
“We’ve never hosted a Premier League football club before, and I’m delighted it was such a meaningful visit given the poignant history of the West Ham Pals Battalion and their contribution and sacrifice in the First World War. We’re proud to have made the three new wreaths that will be hung at the stadium to remember them.”
Anyone can visit the Poppy Factory by booking tickets here.
All proceeds from those visits go to support the vital work that the charity does supporting service veterans and their families into all kinds of employment, across England and Wales.
